From Doniphan in Ripley County of far southern Missouri the Current River flows into Arkansas and its confluence with the Black River near Pocahontas in Randolph County in close proximity to the terminus of the Spring, Eleven Point and Black Rivers, all of which feed the White River system. This reach begins at US Highway 160 in Missouri, then flows about 42 miles to US Highway 63 in northeastern Arkansas about 90 miles northwest of Memphis.
Doniphan in Ripley County of southeastern Missouri and Randolph County in northeastern Arkansas. Jonesboro, Arkansas, located about 35 miles southeast of Old Donaldsonville State Park and the confluence of the Spring and Eleven Point Rivers, is the nearest town of any significant size.
Jonesboro miles; Little Rock 208 miles; Fayetteville 270 miles; Fort Smith 332 miles; Texarkana 352 miles; Memphis 130 miles; Dallas 533 miles; Austin 723 miles; San Antonio 803 miles; Houston 642 miles; Oklahoma City 552 miles; Albuquerque 1,054 miles; Phoenix 1,512 miles; Denver 1,137 miles; Salt Lake City 1,671 miles (all distances are approximate and depend upon starting point, destination put-in on the river and route taken.)
Water quality is usually good to very good, flowing clean, clear and cool from springs that feed the river all along its run through Missouri. Flows are almost always adequate for paddle trips on this reach of the river, though the current is slow and the river is wider than in Missouri.
Any time, weather permitting, is a good time to paddle the Current River, though spring and fall seasons offer the best combination of flow and climate conditions.
There are no major rapids or waterfall hazards in this reach of the Current River. However, the river is popular with motorboaters and personal watercraft operators, so care has to be taken to avoid prop wash turbulence, especially during spring and summer weekend periods.
US Highway 160 at Doniphan, Missouri, at 0.0 miles; US Highway 67 between Biggers and Pocahontas at about miles; US Highway 63 in Pocahontas at about 42.0 miles. There may be other access points available.
There are no known campgrounds located along the Current River between Doniphan, Missouri and Pocahontas, Arkansas. Abundant natural, primitive campsites can be found all along the river, but be sure to avoid accessing private property with having first obtained permission, and always camp high enough above the river's edge to avoid being caught in rising waters if the river should flash.
There are no known outfitters providing rentals or shuttles along this reach of the Current River. Bring everything you need, and run you own shuttles.
Missouri's Current River is one of the most beautiful and enjoyable rivers anybody can paddle, and the journey to its Black River confluence in Arkansas is certainly no exception. Though slower, less exciting (meaning no real rapids to negotiate) and less popular, this reach offers an enjoyable paddle all the way to the Black River confluence near Pocahontas, Arkansas. In fact, it is possible to follow the Black River all the way to the White River confluence, then journey down the White River to the Mississippi River on the Arkansas-Mississippi State Line. A lack of commercial services along the way keeps this from being a highly popular reach of the river, but that is the main attraction for those who enjoy more solitude and less development. It's year-round character makes this a great stream to paddle and fish just about any time. Scenery is natural and abundant, so be sure to pack the camera.
